When a Leading Designer Chose a Domestic Help to Become Her Model, Magic Happened

Kamala (name changed) is a mother of two. She works as a domestic help in Delhi to make ends meet for her family. Mandeep Nagi is a fashion designer. She is the director of Shades of India, one of India’s leading brands in soft furnishings and fashion. Mandeep happens to live in a house next to the one where Kamala works. And just when she was looking for a model to showcase her new collection, she saw Kamala and found in her the perfect image she had been looking for.

“The emphasis of our new collection, Cinnamon, is on textures and I wanted someone extraordinary,” she told The Hindu. Mandeep does not like shooting with professional models, but “with women who don’t expect to be models and suddenly feel empowered before the camera, in clothes that they like.” When Kamala heard about the idea, she was hesitant at first and thought about it for a day, before agreeing to do it. Here is a look at how she slowly gained confidence and ended the shoot with some beautiful pictures:

“I don’t know if this shoot will change her life. I know that she cherishes the experience.” said Mandeep.

The model showcasing the garments is ‘Kamala’ (not her real name)…a domestic worker who the designer, Mandeep Nagi, happened to pass by on her way back home one day.